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Maria Sommerer, technical writer in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE's) Office of Data System Management, was chosen by a panel of her peers as the agency's Employee of the Month for October.

"Being named DESE's October Employee of the Month means a lot," Sommerer said. "That my leadership appreciates me, that my team appreciates me, and that my work means something to our vision and goals. I cannot express enough gratitude for those around me who empower me to do my best. Without them, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to effect the positive changes that earned me this nomination. To be DESE's Employee of the Month reflects the collective efforts of all these people, and that is the most meaningful thing of them all."

Sommerer has been with DESE since April 2020. In her role, she writes user manuals, guides, processes and procedures, as well as business cases. She also occasionally does some user experience and user interface writing.

"Maria is always looking for ways to make the work we do better and more efficient," said her nominator, Jane Maddox. "She is never afraid to do the work or learn something new in order to improve the quality of a project or make a process more efficient and effective."

Sommerer was born and raised in Jefferson City.